Chapter 12

INTRO DUCTIO N TO 3
DIMENS IO NAL GEO METRY
Old math teachers never die, they
just tend to infinity.

In this chapter, we shall learn

✓ Understanding 3 Dimensional coordinate geometry
✓ Familiarization with Octants
✓ Distance Formulae, Section Formulae & related aspects
✓ Application based problems

 INTRODUCTION
We are aware that the position of a point in a plane can be determined if the coordinates (x, y) of the
point with reference to two mutually perpendicular lines called X and Y-axes are known. But all points
of the space do not lie just in a plane and so, in order to locate a point in space two coordinate axes are
not sufficient. Therefore, we need three coordinate axes. The position of a point in space can be
determined best with reference to three mutually perpendicular lines called X, Y and Z-axes. We know
that in two dimensional geometry, two mutually perpendicular lines are taken and they divide the plane
i.e., xy-plane in four parts called quadrants. In case of three dimensional geometry, we take three
mutually perpendicular lines which divide the space in eight parts called octants. In this chapter, we
shall study about locating the position of a point in space, we shall find the coordinates of point in
space. We shall extend our study to finding the distance between two points in space, and section
formula. The problems given here will be quite similar to those problems which you have solved in
your previous classes in two dimensional geometry. So you will find this chapter very simple!
Let us go into the world of three dimensions!
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS
01. Coordinate Axes & Coordinate Planes In Three Dimensional Space :
(a) Origin and Coordinate axes: The point of intersection of the three mutually perpendicular lines is
called the origin. Let O be the origin. Let OX and OX be the positive and negative directions of x-axis
respectively. Let OY and OY be the positive and negative directions of y-axis and OZ and OZ be the
positive and negative direction of z-axis.
Consider the Fig.1 shown on next page. Let P be a point in the space. We drop a perpendicular PM on
the XY-plane with M as the foot of this perpendicular. Then, from the point M, we draw a perpendicular
ML to the x-axis, meeting it at L. Let OL be x, LM be y and MP be z. Then x, y and z are called the x, y
and z coordinates, respectively, of the point P in the space. In the figure, we may note that the point P(x,
y, z) lies in the octant XOYZ and so all x, y, z are positive. If P was in any other octant, the signs of x, y
and z would change accordingly. Thus, to each point P in the space, Z
there corresponds an ordered triplet (x, y, z) of real numbers. P ( x,y,z )
(b) Coordinate Planes: The three planes determined by the pair of
axes are the coordinate plane called XY, YZ and ZX-planes.
 Note the followings :
O C z Y
(a) The three coordinate planes divide the space into eight parts
which are known as the octants. x y
L M ( x,y,0)
X Fig.1
Introduction To 3 Dimensional Geometry By Rajesh Sarswat (+91-9810307106)
(b) The coordinates of a point P in the three dimensional geometry is
always written in the form of triplet like (x, y, z). Here x, y and z are
distances from the YZ, ZX and XY-planes.
(c) The coordinates of the origin O are (0, 0, 0). The coordinates of
any point on the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are (x, 0, 0), (0, y, 0) and Q(x 2 ,y2 ,z 2 )
(0, 0, z) respectively. The coordinates of any point on XY-plane,
YZ-plane and ZX-plane are of the form (x, y, 0), (0, y, z) and (x, 0,
z) respectively.

02. Distance between two points :

Distance between two points P(x1 , y1 , z1 ) and Q(x 2 , y2 , z 2 ) is given by
PQ = (x 2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 ) 2 + (z 2 − z1 ) 2 units

This relation is known as the distance formula. P(x1 ,y1 ,z1 ) Fig.2
For illustration, consider the figure 2.
❖ Note that the distance between origin O(0,0,0) and any point P(x,y,z) is given as x 2 + y2 + z 2 .
R
03. Section Formula :
The coordinates of the point R which divides the line segment
joining two points P(x1 , y1 , z1 ) and Q(x 2 , y2 , z 2 ) in ratio m1 : m2 ;
Q(x 2 ,y2 ,z 2 )
a) internally, are given by
R  m1x 2 + m2 x1 m1 y2 + m2 y1 m1z 2 + m2 z1 
a)  , , 
m1 : m2  m1 + m2 m1 + m2 m1 + m2 
b) b) externally i.e., internally in the ratio (m1 ) : ( −m2 ) , are
 m1x 2 − m2 x1 m1y 2 − m2 y1 m1z 2 − m 2 z1 
 , , .
P(x1 ,y1 ,z1 ) Fig.3  m1 − m2 m1 − m2 m1 − m2 
Consider the figure 3 for illustration!
 Note the followings :
(a) The coordinates of the mid-point of the line segment joining two points P(x1 , y1 , z1 ) and Q(x 2 ,
 x + x 2 y1 + y2 z1 + z 2 
y2 , z 2 ) are given by  1 , ,  . (As midpoint divides the given line in 1:1).
 2 2 2 
(b) Coordinates of the centroid of the triangle, whose vertices are (x1 , y1 , z1 ), (x 2 , y2 , z 2 ) and (x 3 , y3 ,
 x + x 2 + x 3 y1 + y 2 + y3 z1 + z 2 + z3 
z 3 ) , are given by  1 , , .
 3 3 3 
04. Signs of Coordinates of a point in various octants :
Octants ( → )
OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ
Coordinates (  )
x + – + + – – + –
y + + – + – + – –
z + + + – + – – –
05. Some useful facts :
In order to prove that a given figure is a
(a) square, prove that the four sides are equal and the diagonals are also equal.
(b) rhombus, prove that the four sides are equal.
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(c) rectangle, prove that the opposite sides are equal and the diagonals are also equal.
(d) parallelogram, prove that the opposite sides are equal.
(e) parallelogram but not a rectangle, prove that its opposite sides are equal but diagonals are
not equal.
(f) rhombus but not a square, prove that its all sides are equal but the diagonals are not equal.

06. Some more Geometrical facts :

(a) A quadrilateral is a parallelogram iff i) opposite sides are equal.

ii) diagonals bisect each other.
(b) A quadrilateral is a rectangle iff i) opposite sides are equal and one angle is right
angle.
ii) opposite sides are equal and diagonals are
equal.
(c) A quadrilateral is a rhombus iff i) all the four sides are equal.
ii) diagonals bisect each other at right angles.
iii) diagonals bisect each other and two adjacent
sides are equal.
(d) A quadrilateral is a square iff i) all the four sides are equal and diagonals are
equal.
ii) all the four sides are equal and one angle is a
right angle.
 Also note that :
(a) A rectangle is a parallelogram whose diagonals are equal.
(b) A square is a rhombus whose diagonals are equal.
(c) A rhombus is a parallelogram whose adjacent sides are equal.
(d) A triangle is equilateral iff all of its sides are equal.
(e) A triangle is isosceles iff its two sides are equal.
 Keep the followings in mind :
(a) Centroid of a triangle: Point of intersection of medians.
(b) In-centre of a triangle: Point of intersection of the internal angle bisectors.
(c) Orthocentre of a triangle: Point of intersection of the perpendiculars from vertices to the
opposite sides.
(d) Circum-centre of a triangle: Point of intersection of perpendicular bisectors of the sides of
triangle. It is equidistant from vertices of the triangle. In a ABC , if P is the circum-centre
then, PA = PB = PC .
(e) Centroid, orthocentre and circum-centre of a triangle are collinear.

WORKED OUT ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

Ex01. Find the image of (–5, 4, –3) in the xy-plane, yz-plane and zx-plane.
Sol. Let P(–5, 4, –3). Clearly, image of P in xy-plane is (–5, 4, 3), Image of P in yz-plane is (5, 4, –3)
and, Image of P in zx-plane is, (–5, –4, –3).
Ex02. What is the perpendicular distance of P(6, 7, 8) from xy-plane.
Sol. As foot of perpendicular of P in xy-plane is Q(6, 7, 0).
So, PQ = (6 − 6)2 + (7 − 7)2 + (8 − 0)2 = 8 .
Ex03. Find the distance of P(–3, –2, 1) from z-axis.
Sol. Here P(–3, –2, 1). Clearly, foot of the perpendicular drawn from P on the z-axis is Q(0, 0, 1).

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Now, PQ = (−3 − 0)2 + (−2 − 0)2 + (1 − 1)2 = 13 units

Ex04. What are the coordinates of the vertices of a cube whose edge length is of 3 units, one of whose
vertices coincides with the origin and the three edges passing through the origin, coincides with the
positive direction of the axes through the origin?
Sol. Let ‘a’ denotes the edge length of this cube
such that a = 3 units .

Clearly, we have the coordinates of its vertices as :

A(3,0,0), B(3,3,0),
C(0,3,0), D(0,3,3),
E(0,0,3), F(3,0,3) ,
G(3,3,3) and, O(0,0,0) .

# Consider the adjacent figure given here.

Ex05. Prove that the points A(0, –1, –7), B(2, 1, –9) and C(6, 5, –13) are collinear. Find the ratio in
which first point divides the join of the other two.
Sol. Let A divide the join of BC in k : 1.
 6k + 2 5k + 1 −13k − 9 
So, A(0, −1, −7) = A  , , 
 k +1 k +1 k +1 
On comparing the coordinates, we get :
6k + 2 5k + 1 −13k − 9 1 1 1
= 0, = −1, = −7 k=− , k=− , k=− .
k +1 k +1 k +1 3 3 3
So, clearly A, B and C are on a line i.e., these points are collinear.
Also, A divides BC in 1 : 3 externally.

EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE

TYPE - A
Basic Conceptual Questions
Q01. In which octant does the following points lie?
(a) ( −2,3,4 ) (b) (1, −2, −5) (c) ( 4,7, −1)
Q02. If a point lies in xy-plane then what is its z-coordinate?
Q03. Name the plane in which the point (2, 0, –4) lie.
Q04. Find the distance between (9,–12,–18) and the origin.
Q05. Show that the points ( −2,3,5) , (1,2,3) and ( 7,0, −1) are collinear.
Q06. If a point lies on the z-axis, then write its x and y coordinates.
Q07. Find the distance between (–3, 4,–6) and its image in the XY–plane.

TYPE - B
Concept Building Questions - I (Based On Geometrical Figures)
Q01. Show that ( 0,7,10 ) , ( −1,6,6 ) and ( −4,9,6 ) are the vertices of right angled triangle. Is it an
isosceles triangle?
Q02. Are the points A ( 3,6,9 ) , B (10,20,30 ) and C ( 25, −41,5) , vertices of a right angled triangle?
Q03. Show that the points (1,–1,–5), (3, 1, 3) and (9, 1, –3) are the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
Q04. Check if the points (1, 1, 1), (–2, 4, 1), (1, –5, 5) and (2, 2, 5) are the vertices of a square.
Q05. Show that the points A (1,2,3) , B ( −1, −2, −1) , C ( 2,3,2 ) and D ( 4,7,6 ) form the vertices of
parallelogram ABCD, but not a rectangle.
Q06. Show that the points ( 3,3,3) , ( 0,6,3) , (1,7,7 ) and ( 4,4,7 ) are the vertices of a square.

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Q07. Show that the points ( 0,7,10 ) , ( −1,6,6 ) and ( −4,9,6 ) are the vertices of an isosceles right angled
triangle.
Q08. Show that the points (3, 2, 2), (–1, 4, 6), (0, 5, 6) and (2, 1, 2) lie on a sphere whose centre is at
(1, 3, 4). Also find its radius.

TYPE - C
Concept Building Questions - II (Based on Distance Formula)
Q01. Find the coordinates of points on y-axis which are at a distance of 5 2 units from the point
whose coordinates are ( 3, −2,5) .
Q02. Find the equation of the set of all points which are equidistant from the points with coordinates
given as (1,2,3) and ( 3,2, −1) .
Q03. Find the equation of the curve formed by the set of all points whose distances from the points
A(3, 4, –5) and B(– 2, 1, 4) are equal.
Q04. Find the equation of the set of all the points, the sum of whose distances from P(4, 0, 0) & Q(–4,
0, 0) is equal to 10units.
Q05. If A and B be the points ( 3,4,5) and ( −1,3, −7 ) , respectively, find the equation of the set of
points P such that PA2 + PB2 = k 2 , where k is constant.
Q06. Find the point on the y-axis which is equidistant from (3, 1, 2) and (5, 5, 2).
Q07. Find the point on z-axis which is equidistant from (1, 5, 7) and (5, 2, –4).
Q08. Find the coordinates of the point in xy-plane which is equidistant from the points A(2, 0, 3), B(0,
3, 2) and C ( 0,0,1) .
Q09. Find the coordinates of the point in yz-plane which is equidistant from the points A(3, 2, –1),
B(1, –1, 0) and C(2, 1, 2).

TYPE - D
Concept Building Questions - III (Based on Section Formulae)
Q01. Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining the points (–2, 3, 5) and
(1, –4, 6) in the ratio 2 : 3 (a) internally , (b) externally .
Q02. Find the coordinates of the points which trisect the line segment joining the points P(4,2, −6) and
Q(10, −16,6) .
Using section formula, show that the points A ( 2, −3,4 ) , B ( −1,2,1) and C  0, ,2  are collinear.
1
Q03.
 3 
Q04. Use section formula to check whether the three points (–2, 3, 5), (1, 2, 3) and (7, 0, –1) are
collinear.
Q05. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points with coordinates given as ( 4,8,10 )
and ( 6,10, −8) is divided by the yz-plane. Also find the point of intersection.
Q06. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points with coordinates given as ( 2,3,4 ) and
( −3,5, −4 ) is divided by the yz-plane. Also find the point of intersection.
Q07. A point R with x-coordinate 4 lies on the segment joining the points P(2, –3, 4) and Q(8, 0, 10).
Find the coordinates of the point R.
Q08. It is given that P ( 3,2, −4 ) , Q ( 5,4, −6 ) and R ( 9,8, −10) are collinear. Find the ratio in which Q
divides the segment PR.
Q09. Find the lengths of medians of the triangle with vertices ( 0,0,6 ) , ( 0,4,0 ) and ( 6,0,0 ) .
Q10. Three vertices of a parallelogram ABCD are A ( 3, −1,2 ) , B (1,2, −4 ) and C ( −1,1,2 ) . Find the
coordinates of the fourth vertex.
Q11. Find the ratio in which the line joining the points (1,2,3) and ( −3,4, −5) is divided by the xy-
plane. Also, find the coordinates of the point of division.

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Introduction To 3 Dimensional Geometry By Rajesh Sarswat (+91-9810307106)
Q12. Find the ratio in which the line joining the points A ( 2,1,5) and B ( 3,4,3) is divided by the plane
2 x + 2 y − 2 z = 1 . Also, find the coordinates of the point of division.
Q13. Find the ratio in which the plane 2 x + 3 y + 5z − 1 = 0 divides the line segment joining the points
(1,0, −3) and (1, −5,7 ) .
Q14. Find the ratio in which the plane x − 2 y + 3z = 5 divides the join of (3,–5, 4) and (2, 3,–7). Find
the coordinates of the point of intersection of line and plane.
Find ratio in which join of points P(2, –1, 3) and Q(4, 3, 1) is divided by R 
20 5 15 
Q15. , , .
 7 7 7
Q16. Find the coordinates of the centroid of the triangle whose vertices are ( x1 , y1 , z1 ) , ( x2 , y2 , z2 ) and
( x3 , y3 , z3 ) .
Q17. Centroid of a triangle ABC is at the point (1, 1, 1). If the coordinates of A and B are (3,–5, 7)
and (–1, 7,–6) respectively, find the coordinates of the point C.
Q18. Two vertices of a triangle ABC are A(2,–4, 3) and B(3,–1,–2), and its centroid is (1, 0, 3). Find
the coordinates of its third vertex.
Q19. Find the centroid of a triangle, coordinates of the mid-points of whose sides are given as
(1,2, −3) , ( 3,0,1) and ( −1, 1, −4 ) .
Q20. If origin is the centroid of the triangle PQR with vertices P ( 2a,2,6) , Q ( −4,3b, −10 ) and
R (8,14,2c ) , then find the value of a, b and c.
Q21. If origin is the centroid of the triangle PQR with vertices P ( a,1,3) , Q ( −2, b, −5) and R ( 4,7,c ) ,
then find the value of a, b and c.
Q22. Find the coordinate of a point which is equidistant from the four points O ( 0,0,0 ) , A ( a,0,0 ) ,
B ( 0, b,0 ) and C ( 0,0,c ) .
Q23. The midpoints of the sides of a triangle are given as (1, 5,–1), (0, 4,–2) and (2, 3, 4). Find the
vertices of this triangle.
Q24. The vertices of a triangle are A(5, 4, 6), B(1,–1, 3) and C(4, 3, 2). The internal bisector of
BAC meets BC in D. Find AD.
Q25. A (1, 2,3) , B ( 0, 4,1) and C ( −1, −1, −3) are the vertices of a triangle ABC. Find the point at
which the bisector of the angle BAC meets the side BC.
Q26. The vertices of a triangle ABC are A(3, 2, 0), B(5, 3, 2) and C(–9, 6, –3). The bisector AD of
angle A meets BC at D. Find the coordinates of D.

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MATHEMATICIA - Vol. 2 Of Class XI By Rajesh Sarswat (+91-9810307106)

TEST For SELF EVALUATION - 12 

Time Allowed : 60 Minutes Max. Marks : 35

Q01. Write the ⊥er distance of (a, b, c) from the coordinate planes YOZ, ZOX and XOY. [11
Q02. Find the coordinates of the foot of perpendicular drawn from the point (x, y, z) on the coordinate
axes. [2 1
Q03. Find the equation of the set of the points which are equidistant from the points (3, 2, –1) and (1,
2, 3).
Q04. Show that the points A(0, 1, 2), B(2, –1, 3) and C(1, –3, 1) are vertices of an isosceles triangle.
Q05. Verify that the points (3, –2, 4), (1, 0, –2) and (–1, 2, –8) are collinear.
Q06. Show that the points A(3, –1, –1), B(5, –4, 0), C(2, 3, –2) and D(0, 6, –3) are the vertices of a
parallelogram.
Q07. Find the point on y-axis which is 10 units away from the point (1, 2, 3). [4  5
Q08. Let A(3, 2, 0), B(5, 3, 2) and C(–9, 6, –3) form a triangle ABC. Assume AD to be the angle
bisector for BAC and it meets BC at D. Find the coordinates of D.
Q09. Find the coordinates of the centroid of a triangle whose vertices are (x 0 ,y0 ,z0 ), (x1 ,y1 ,z1 ) and
(x 2 ,y2 ,z 2 ) . [6  2

 ANSWERS
Q01. a, b, c respectively from YOZ, ZOX and XOY.
Q02. (x,0,0), (0, y,0) and (0,0, z) respectively on x, y and z - axes.
Q03. x − 2z = 0 .
Q07. (0, 2, 0) .
 38 57 17 
Q08.  , , .
 16 16 16 
 x 0 + x1 + x 2 y0 + y1 + y2 z 0 + z1 + z 2 
Q09.  , , .
 3 3 3 

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Introduction To 3 Dimensional Geometry By Rajesh Sarswat (+91-9810307106)
How to use this space below? Well, why don’t you write your Important Notes here?

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